Yet another Super typhoon has developed over Western Pacific ocean where favourable conditions remain in place for development of such powerful cyclone. After the category 5 Super typhoon Francisco a few days ago, Super Typhoon Lekima currently centered near 20N/150E gained an impressive rapid intesification from category 1 to category 5 within the last 24 hours. Lekima is now the most powerful typhoon on earth so far in 2013. This makes it the 4thcategory 5 system this year.

Lekima is very impressive to look on satelite imagery, showing a symetrical eyewall and a very well-defined eye.

Latest IR satellite scan of Lekima. Source: NOAA

Latest VIS satellite scan of Lekima. Source: NOAA

Very high values on the ocean heat content map south of 20N reveal why typhoon Lekima intensfied so rapidly during the last 24 hours.

Ocean heat content map. Source: NOAA

Here is the latest storm analysis from JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency), estimated sea level pressure down to 905 hPa and sustained winds of 60 m/s, gusting up to 85 m/s: